How to find skirt-length tops for petites?!

Tricia

I'm starting to think a little bit about my spring wardrobe, and I'd like to wear more skirts, especially casual skirts as a weekend alternative to shorts, which I'm not crazy about. But right now I think there's exactly ONE top in my closet that's the right length for skirts, and it's a silk-knit sweater that isn't really weekend wear.

The problem is that at only 5 foot 2, most tops - even petite tops - come down too far on me to wear with skirts. Even most T-shirts are too long on me to wear with skirts! What I do right now to get around this is to wear shorter camis and then a cardigan with my skirts, since cardigans seem to be exempt from the "short tops for skirts" rule (I think?). But in the summer, I'd like more options for when it's really hot. What do the rest of you petites do? Should I stick to dresses rather than skirts?

16 years ago

Shopping

6 replies

Latest reply was from Maya

Vani

Veteran

Tricia, I'm shorter than you are so I feel your pain! Sweetpea tops have worked well for me. I also seem to do better with skirt length tops at the petites section at Macy's. Ann Taylor and Loft also have a good selection for petites that work with skirts. Most of the time though, I end up tucking in lightweight layering tees and wearing lightweight cardigans on top. Also, a good tip form Angie was cutting off the excess length of sweetpea tops. Because of the mesh material, there is no fraying and nobody can tell.

16 years ago

shana

Veteran

Tricia, I feel your pain - I'm 5' with a very short waist. I buy most of my tops at AT, ATL or BR in their petites section. I often have to size up to accommodate the girls which unfortunately adds length too. I did have a top shortened at the tailors last spring and it ended up being the perfect skirt length. Not sure if I want to add $15 to every top though. Some of my knit tops and graphic tees look OK if I do a little scrunching around the waist to make them shorter. This probably won't work well for business casual though.

16 years ago

elpgal

Veteran

Another short, short-waisted and bust-endowed person here. I have had luck with AT and ATL as well. BR tops somehow don't work for me or are too expensive. If you plan to shorten the top, go for woven tops not knits. I have some tops from Limited shorted before but it tends to get expensive.

16 years ago

Tricia

Veteran

Yeah, woven tops are harder for me because I'm on the busty side as well, so most of my tops are knit.

I found some Sweet Pea tops on sale for $19 each and ordered a couple so I can try them out. YLF is bad for my wallet! But if I like them I can try shortening them myself.

16 years ago

Anonymous

I'm 5'4" and short waisted. Lately I've often resorted to belting the longer top to shorten it a bit and establish a waist. Most of the time the proportions seem to work with skirts. I wear mine knee length.
In the past I've tucked in soft knit or silky woven tops, then bloused the top over the waistline of the skirt. It's probably not the best look.

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I have not yet found an easy solution to this. I managed to figure out that I can tuck shirts in occasionally despite my short waist/big bust, and that some tops can be effectively shortened by adding a jacket, cropped cardi, or a waistcoat on top. But I realize tucking is hit or miss on a short waist...and on some people it's always a miss.

I can't bear the thought of hemming shirts just for skirts. That seems absurd to me. I wish tops came in "pant" and "skirt" lengths...like "regular pant" or "petite skirt." Or there should just be a store that specializes exclusively in producing tops to wear with skirts.

I'm curious to try the Sweet Pea idea, but I do NOT trust myself with cutting a straight line. I'm sure I would mess it up!

16 years ago

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